Atlanta’s real estate market is constantly changing, making it essential for real estate professionals to stay updated on the latest trends and developments. Single-family rentals, in particular, offer a unique and lucrative opportunity for those in the real estate industry.
With a growing demand for rental properties in Atlanta, agents and brokers knowledgeable about the single-family rental market can provide valuable advice to their clients, setting themselves—and their marketing—apart in a competitive market.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out in Atlanta real estate, we have all you need to know about Atlanta’s single-family rental market for 2025.
Atlanta real estate market overview
Often known as the “New York of the South,” Atlanta is far more affordable than comparable cities, allowing the market to flourish even in uncertain times.
The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) estimates the Atlanta region could add 1.8 million people by 2050. The area’s total employment could also add 840,000 jobs, making the area’s total job count 4.58 million. This is mainly due to the area’s affordable housing, quality of life, and access to major transportation hubs.
Additionally, the area is becoming a destination for businesses. Atlanta offers a diverse and educated workforce, access to capital, and a competitive cost of doing business. The largest employers in the Atlanta Metropolitan area include Delta Airlines, Emory Healthcare, and The Home Depot. Tech giants like Apple and Microsoft are also looking to expand in Atlanta.
Average home price in Atlanta
In December 2024, Realtor.com found the median list price in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs metro area to be $399,950. As of February 2025, there are 21,866 active listings in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell metro area, up a whopping 43% from January 2023. This indicates the demand for homes is decreasing while the supply increases, shifting to a buyer’s market for 2025.
Redfin calculated the median days on the market to be 84 days for single-family homes in February of 2025, over double than Jan 2022’s 36 days. In comparison, the median days on the market in February 2020 was 70 days. The median sales price is $414,000, further indicating that single-family homes sell for more money in Atlanta, even in a turbulent market.
And while mortgage rates and inflation continue to impact the home buying process, the rental market in Atlanta has continues to see a decrease in rent growth year over year, making renting a single-family home even more affordable.
2025 Atlanta single-family rental market forecast
As the Atlanta housing market is one of the few on track to grow steadily this year, the supply and demand for single-family rentals remains balanced. In February 2025, it’s estimated that 54% of homes in Atlanta were renter-occupied.
As rent trends downward and mortgage rates remain high, more first-time home buyers, such as Millennials and Gen Zers, will likely continue to rent.
Apartment List’s latest report highlights that Millennials are still struggling to achieve homeownership, with only 45.5% owning a home as of 2023. While they are currently the largest generation of homebuyers, their homeownership rate remains significantly lower than previous generations at the same age.
Many Millennials still feel priced out of the housing market due to lingering affordability challenges, a trend that has persisted since the 2008 financial crisis, and only exacerbated since the COVID-19 pandemic in 202. Although some are finding success in more affordable Midwestern markets, expensive coastal cities continue to pose barriers to homeownership. Even as the market shifts, affordability concerns and rising costs may keep many Millennials in the rental market for the foreseeable future.
Interestingly enough, research by ARC also found that areas in Atlanta with a large Millennial population ranked higher than the national average for rental rates, further indicating the strength of Atlanta’s rental market.
Average rent in Atlanta
Per Zumper, the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Atlanta is 1,581. Compared to previous years, rent for studios to 3-bedroom apartments has remained flat or decreased, reflecting the shift the rental market is seeing in Atlanta. However, the outlier is 4-bedroom apartments, increasing in rent by 14% year over year.
Rent.com estimates the average rent of apartments in Atlanta, GA is between $1,726 and $2,223 as of March 2025.
These numbers are also reflective of the single-family rental market averages. The U.S. Census found the median household income in 2023 to be $81,938, further proving the average rent of a single-family home fits comfortably in most households’ budgets.
Looking forward
Atlanta remains a top build-to-rent (BTR) market, with over 6,800 units under construction across 43 communities. As these projects are completed, rental supply will increase, but demand is expected to stay strong. With median home prices rising nearly 60% since the pandemic—now at around $405,000—many prospective buyers are turning to rentals due to affordability challenges and high mortgage rates.
The flexibility and space offered by BTR homes make them an attractive alternative to traditional homeownership. As Atlanta ranks third nationwide for BTR development, the trend is expected to continue, especially with the metro’s growing population. While some criticize the shift of land use from for-sale housing to rentals, BTR communities help meet the demand for attainable housing in a competitive market.
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As 95% of real estate agents utilize professional photography, standing out from the crowd is more important than ever. Let Virtuance help you dominate the SFR market in Atlanta and take your listings to the next level.
FAQ
The Atlanta SFR market is expected to remain strong, with 54% of homes renter-occupied and continued demand driven by affordability challenges and high mortgage rates.
The market is shifting toward buyers, with increasing home inventory, longer days on the market, and declining rent growth, making single-family rentals more affordable.
Atlanta’s affordability, job growth, and high mortgage rates are driving demand for single-family rentals.
While overall rents have remained flat or decreased, rent for 4-bedroom homes has increased by 14% year over year.
High-quality listing photos, like Virtuance’s HDReal® images, help properties sell faster and for more money.
